Method and machine for making inlaid linoleum



Oct. 31, 1950 1'. PESCI mom AND mcum: FOR MAKING 1mm unouauu 12Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 8, 1948 INVENTOR. Thomas Pesc Oct. 31, 1950 T.PESCI msmon AND mcnm: FOR MAKING mum) LINOLEUM l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledNov. 8, 1948 INVENTOR. Thomas Pesci Oct. 31, 1950 'r. PESCI us'moo ANDMACHINE FOR mm; mum LINOLEUI Filed Nov, 8, 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 in mi(D g l Oct. 31, 1950 'r. PESCI 2,527,648

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING INLAID LINOLEUM INVENTOR. Thomas Pesc/Oct. 31, 1950 T. PESCI 2,527,648

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING INLAID LINOLEUM Filed Nov. 8, 1948 12Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Thomas Pesc Oct. 31, 1950 T. PESCI 2,527,648

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING INLAID LINOLEUM Filed Nov. 8, 1948 v 12Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. 7310mm: 656/ Oct. 31, 1950 'r. PIESCI 2,527,648

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING mum: LINOLEUM Filed Nov. 8, 1948 12Sheets-Sheet '7 i r- I b 9 z INVENTOR. Th ormzs Pesc/ Oct. 31, 1950 T.PESCI METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING INLAID LINOLEUM l2 Sheets-Sheet 8Filed Nov. 8, 1948 INVENTOR. Th 0 m 05 P650 BY Oct. 31, 1950 1'. PESCIammon AND MACHINE FOR MAKING 1min LINOLEUM 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed NOV.8, 1948 mmvroge. Tho/1106 Rasc/ Oct. 31, 1950 T. PESCI 2,527,648

umnon AND MACHINE FOR MAKING INLAID LINOLEUM Filed Nov. 8, 1948 12Sheets-Sheet 1o &\\\\\\\\% V Fig. 23 as W INVENTOR. Thomas PSCI BY H922awzwwgi Oct. 31, 1950 r. PESCI mzmon AND momma FOR mm mm: LINOLEUM 12Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Nov. 8, 1948 wNN mmm

INVEN TOR. Thomas 7366C! BY Q24, M Z Q Oct. 31, 1950 T. PESCI mamon ANDmomma FOR MAKING mum LINOLEUM 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Nov. 8, 1948 INVEN TOR.

Patented Oct. 31, 1950 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING INLAID LINOLEUMThomas Pesci, Philadelphia, ,1 Pa assignor to Bonaflde Mills, 'Inc.,,New York, N. Y., a corporation of Maine Application November s, 1948,Serial No. 58,827

22 Claims.

The present invention relates .to fabric manuiacturing and moreparticularly to a method and apparatus for making inlaid linoleum.

Inlaid linoleum as heretofore manufactured is formed from a plurality ofindividually preshaped plastic components, each generally 01 uniformcolor throughout its exposed area, and manually placed according to aselected pattern upon a backing sheet of burlap, felt or other material,and to which each is adhesively secured. Thus, with all components inplace, an over-all inlaid pattern is provided in the finished fabric.Components of the type used for linoleum manufacture are relatively thinand non-rigid and therefore are easily mutilated in handling and subjectto shape variation, so that proper registration with adjacent,previously placed, components is a tedious and exacting operation evenby hand and where attempted by machinery as in the past has materiallyincreased the difllculties of producing an even properly fitted pattern.In so far as automatic handling of components is concerned, it has beenproposed to provide stacks of components of like color and shapeadjacent a travelling web of felt and then to automatically andsuccessively lift the components from a stack and transfer each to whatis supposed to be its proper position on the web to form the pattern.This has militated against the. use of any but the simplest of patterns,while the disadvantage of faulty registration between components isstill an unsolved problem in so far as machines prior to this inventionare concerned.

Some of the objects of the present invention are: to provide an improvedmethod of making inlaid linoleum; to provide an improved machine formaking inlaid linoleum; to provide a machine for making inlaid linoleumwherein provision is made for preparing a key pattern and automaticallycutting and removing therefrom components which are not to form a partof the final inlaid pattern and then replacing such components withothers to form the final inlay pattern; to provide an inlaid linoleummachine wherein certain'undesired components are removed from a keypattern and stacked for later use in apattern of the same design butdifferent color, thereby saving material which otherwise would bewasted; to provide a machine for making inlaid linoleum wherein a keypattern is initially prepared upon a backing web to remain thereon whiletravelling step by step past component-removing and component-replacingstages; to provide =-a-- machine for making inlaid linoleum whereinpattern components can be successfully stacked at the side .of thetravelling key pattern and can be held by the use of holding pinspressed into the supporting table instead of in the key pattern asheretofore; to provide a machine for making inlaid linoleum whereinpattern components can be stacked for use without danger of multilation;to provide a novel precutting machine wherein a plurality ofpatterncomponents of'like color can be cut and stacked for future use; toprovide a novel step-by-step movement of a backing web operating insynchronized timed relation with continuously moving adjuncts eachperforming a separate operation effective during each rest period of thebacking; to provide a machine for making inlaid linoleum' wherein therate of production of inlaid linoleum is increased materially overmachines now and heretofore in use; to provide a novel mounting forcutting blades wherein provision is made for defining predetermined keypatterns; and to provide other objects as will become apparent as thedescription proceeds.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Fig. 1 represents diagrammatically theseveral stage operations of the machine; Fig. 2 represents a plan of thebacking web and linoleum mix thereon as it appears after the operationsat stages B, C, D, E, and F; Fig. 3 represents the working face of theplaten for applying glue in the configuration of the selected keypattern; Fig. 4 represents the working face of the pressing and cuttingplaten; Fig. 5 represents a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig. '6represents a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 represents a detailon an enlarged scale of any of the mounted cutting blades; Fig. 8represents a side elevation of stages'A, B, and C of a linoleum-makingmachine embodying one form of the present invention; Fig. 8-A representsa side elevation of the machine as a continuation of Fig. 8 and showingstages D and E; Fig. 8-13 represents a side elevation of the machine asa continuation of Fig. 8-A showing final stages; Fig.9

represents a detail on a larger scale of the blue receptacle operatingmeans; Fig. 10 represents a fragmentary plan of the glue receptacleoperating means; Fig. .11 represents a plan of the transfer assembliesof stages D and E; Fig. 12 represents a side elevation of the transferassembly of stage D but can also be the assembly for stage E, except inthe latter the operating cam is one hundred and eighty degrees out ofphase with the same cam of stage D; Fig. 13 represents a detail in endelevation of the air valve control mechanism; Fig. 14 represents asection on line I4-I4 of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 represents an end elevation ofthe pressing and cutting unit of stage C; Fig. 16 represents afragmentary side elevation of the unit of stage C; Fig. 17 represents asectional longitudinal detail of the blade mounting for the unit of Fig.15 and the related machine bed, web and conveyor part; Fig. 18represents a partial plan of one form of platform locking means; Fig. 19represents a section on line I9-I9 of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 represents asectional side elevation of one of the component trucks, shown on alarger scale; Fig. 21 represents a fragmentary end elevation, partlybroken away, of the truck of Fig. 20; Fig. 22 represents a fragmentarydetail in elevation partly broken away, of the suction nozzle assemblyon an enlarged scale; Fig. 23 represents a fragmentary bottom plan ofFig. 22; Fig. 24 represents a detail on a larger scale of the yoke andcam roller construction; Fig. 25 represents a detail in side elevationof the step-by-step mechanism; and Fig. 26 ranresents a plan of theparts shown in Fig. 25.

Referring to the drawings, the operation of the apparatus and steps ofthe method are diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 asintroductory to the detailed description, and wherein a backing web IIIof burlap, felt, or other suitable material is indicated as travellingstep by step through. a succession of operating stages. Thus,

at stage A the web I is pressed into contact with piercing pinsupstanding from two conveyors for feeding the web step by step towardsthe succeeding stages. At stage B a printing block, having a face shapedin accordance with a selected key pattern, is wiped with glue and thenpressed to the web to leave a glue faced pattern. At stage C thesheet oflinoleum mix of selected color is fed above the web and pressed intocontact with the key pattern outlined in glue on the web backing, whilesimultaneously cutter blades sever the mix in the shape of thecomponents which are to be removed when the key pattern reaches stage D.Thus, while the key pattern is now an integral part of the web, thecomponents bounded by it are unattached to the web ready for removal. Atstage D the preshaped severed components are removed and stacked at oneside of the machine for use in other patterns instead of being discardedas waste. Leaving stage D, the key pattern consists of the original keypattern with voids, where the unwanted components have been removed, andsuch components are now replaced at stage E by the proper components tocomplete the final pattern of the inlay which has been selected. Fromstage E the complete inlaid web is delivered to stage F whereby thepattern is pressed into contact with the backing by a heated or coldpressing platen, making ready for the rotary press, at which completeadhesion is secured.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 8 of the drawings, the web I. is shown enteringthe machine to seat on a bed II with its side margins respectively abovetwo endless conveyors I2, which run the full length of the machine ateach side of the bed II, and are supported by the machine side framesI3. The upper face of each conveyor is providedwith a longitudinallydisposed row of suitably spaced pins I4 for piercing the web to transmitthe desired motion thereto. The entering end of the web I0 passes undertwo transversely connected pressing weights I5, one above each row ofpins I4, so that as the weights are released to drop by gravity, the webmargin below each weight will be impaled upon the motion-transmittingpins I4 of the respective conveyors. As

shown, the weights I! are respectively actuated by vertically disposedplates I8 sliding in guides Il upon the machine frame and projectingdownwardly through such guides to terminate respectively in cam rollersI3. The two rollers II ride respectively on side face cams keyed to ashaft 2I transversely disposed between the machine sides, while thecontour of the came 20 is preferably such as to lift and release theweights twice during one revolution of the shaft 2 I. Thus, when the webI0 stops beneath the weights II, the cam rollers it drop into the camdwell depressions so that the weights descend to cause the web to bepierced by the conveyor pins I4. With this accomplished, the next stepmovement of the web brings it to stage B where it comes to restmomentarily under the vertically reciprocable horizontally disposedblock 22.

In order to apply glue to the face of the web according to a prearrangedkey pattern, the lower face of the block or platen 22 is provided with acameo pattern 23 of the selected key configuration arranged to be coatedwith glue, cement, such as linseed oil solution so that when loweredinto contact with the upper face of the web it will deposit the glueupon the web in the form of the selected key pattern. The timed movementof the block or platen 22 is obtained by mounting the platen at oppositesides respectively upon slides 24 which ride in vertical guides underthe action of lift cams 26 riding under rollers 21 fixed to therespective slides 24 to give the desired platen stroke. The cams 26 arefast to a driven shaft 28 which receives its motion in precise timedrelation to the step-by-step motion of the web, as will hereinafter bedescribed.

For the purpose of applying glue to the cameo pattern, a spreader roller30 is provided, the same being rotatably mounted transversely of a gluereceptacle 3| in such manner that a portion of the periphery of theroller projects, while the remaining portion travels through andcollects glue to be transferred to the cameo pattern as the receptacle3I travels across its face. This movement takes place by supporting thereceptacle 3I on four vertically adjustable feet 32 which seatrespectively in four cups 33, of which each side pair are fixed to aseparate slide bar 34 riding respectively in side rails of the machineframe, but supported on rollers 35 journalled upon the frame side railsfor free sliding action. The vertical adjustment for the feet 32provides means for bringing the spreader roller 30 into wiping relationwith the key pattern upon the juxtaposed face of the platen 22. The twoslide bars 34 are respectively joined to connecting rods 36 which inturn are interconnected to two rock levers 31 pivoted at 38 to themachine frame and arranged to be reciprocated in unison by a tie rod 39between them and journalling a cam roller 40 at the center thereof forcontact with one face of a cam H which is keyed to the shaft 2I. Asecond cam roller 42 is located at the opposite face of the cam 4I andis journalled upon a transverse tie rod 43 which interconnects two swingarms 44 pivoted at 45 to the respective sides I3 of the machine frame.The two tie rods 3| and 43 are connected together by two spaced apartyokes 46, the arrangement being such that the rotation of the cam 4Icauses the required re ciprocation of the connecting rods 36 andtherefore moves the glue roller 30 across the face of 76 the platen 22,to stop in position for the next cycle when tact.

For ensuring that the roller 68 is supplied with glue, the projectingends of its shaft 6! respectively mounts gears 48 in mesh respectivelywith gears 68 Journalled exteriorly of the receptacle sides and ridingrespectively in racks 5| fixed to the machine frame. Thus, as thereceptacle reelprocates for its wiping action, the gears 56 are rotatedto transmit turning of the wiping roller 66 through the body of glue.

The web l8 leaves the stage B with its upper face now coated with gluein the shape of the key pattern impressed by the action of the platen 22and rides under and in face contact with the incoming layer 52 oflinoleum mix, which rides across an overhead frame 56, and down under aguide roller 64 to meet the step by step advancing web I. The roller 54also causes the mix to be pierced by the pins ll of the conveyors. Asshown, this feeding of the mix layer takes place through a roller 55driven by sprocket and chain 56 from shaft 51, which also transmitsmotion by chain 58 to the shaft 26. The web It with its superposed mixlayer 52 is now delivered to stage C.

The function of stage C is to press and smoothly secure the linoleum mixlayer 52 against the glueoutlined key pattern upon the web It to be heldalso by the conveyor pins ll, while simultaneously severing, from thatkey pattern, those portions of the mix layer 52 which are not to be apart of the predesigned final inlay pattern. When these severed portionsare removed at stage D, voids will be left which are to be filled inwith complementally shaped inlay components to complete the final inlaidpattern as will be presently described. The pressing and severing unitat stage C comprises a vertically reciprocable head 59 slidable in sideguides 68 and provided at opposite ends respectively with suitablepivoted linkage 6| carrying counterweights 62. The ends of the head 68project at opposite sides of the machine in the form of relatively heavypins 63, each fitting in the upper end of a driven yoke 66, the lowerend of which encircles an eccentric 65 keyed to a shaft 66 driventhrough a reduction unit 61 from the main drive shaft 68 by means ofpinion 69', gear 65', reduction gear shaft 66', pinion 61', and gear 66'keyed to the shaft 66.

In order to perform the pressing and severing operations, the contactface of the head 58 is in the form of an annular box-like frame I6,preferably rectangular, extending in assembled condition transversely ofthe web to provide an opening within which the pressing and severingunit is mounted. The bounding margin of the it returns for the nextwiping con- .opening is horizontally recessed to seat a steel backingplate H to which a base 12, preferably of laminated material such asplywood is anchored. The base 12 is laid oil in a pattern of cuts sospaced and arranged relatively as to form a replica of the same size asthe key pattern upon the web. Each pattern cut frictionally holds acutting blade 13 which projects from the bottom of the base to passthrough a cushioning mat 14 of sponge rubber to terminate substantiallyin the plane of the bottom face of the mat. The mat 14 is glued to orotherwise fixed to the bottom of the base 12. In each space bounded bythe blades 16 is a pressing member 15 of sponge rubber, and thisprojects about a sixteenth of an inch beyond the aforesaid bottom faceof themat. With the properly prepared unit ready for use, it

is dropped into the frame 16, and the latter then 6 bolted to the headby suitabie fastening devices,

such as stud bolts 66. At suitable locations about the outer wall of theframe, adjusting bolts 16 are threaded through the frame to engage therespective sides of the base as a means of compressing the base to gripthe blades 16. when the head 58 is lowered for operation, the pressingmember 15, being in the pattern of the key pattern, lowers to superposedrelation with the key pattern in glue to press the linoleum mix fast tothe glue while the mat seats upon all areas of the mix which are to beremoved. With the pressing member in its lowest positiomthe cuttingblades 13 now sever the mix from the boundaries of the. key pattern,not, however, lowering beyond the thickness of the mix. All of thisoperation is precisely timed with the step-by-step movement of the weband the relation of the head to the web is accurately positioned fortrue vertical alinement of the pressing member with the glue keypattern. Thus, as the web leaves stage C it will have the area or areasto be removed outlined by the lines of severing and, as heretoforepointed out, the severing cuts penetrate only through the mix layerwithout dis-.

turbing the web backing so that these areas or components can be readilyremoved.

For the purpose of removing these severed components and stacking themat the side of the machine, a fixed rigid frame is disposed transverselyof the machine (stage D) and comprises two interconnected skeletonupright side frames 11 which are spaced apart to straddle apredetermined length of pattern area as it passed therethrough or comesto rest therebetween. The length of the frames 11 is greater than threetimes the width of the web in order to project at opposite sides thereofso that the component pick-up units will alternately assume positionsabove two stack loading trucks located at opposite sides respectively ofthe machine. These frames 11 form spaced guides for two horizontallydisposed beams 18 and I6 extending the length of the frames at oppositeinner sides thereof and which are suspended at suitable intervals frompairs of vertically disposed lift rods 66 and 66' which are pivotallyconnected at their upper ends respectively to bell cranks BI and 6|arranged to rock about fixed pivots 62 and 62' carried respectively bybrackets 63 and 63' mounted upon the aforesaid frames 11. The arms 64and 64 of the respective bell cranks terminate in cam rollers 65 and 65'riding in contact respectively with driven cams 66 and 66'. The two rowsof cams 66 and 86. are respectively keyed to two horizontally journalledshafts l9 and I9 paralleling opposite outer sides of the frames 11.

In the present instance, the pattern component lifting means comprisestwo box units 66 and 68, arranged in side to side relation across theweb, and each supported by sets of wheels SI for travel transversely ofthe pattern web upon the beams 18 and 16'. Each box unit has a bottomface area suflicient to extend entirely over that portion of the patternwhich is to be brought into position beneath it. The aforesaid units 66and 69 are duplicates and in this description like parts will begivenlike reference numerals to avoid needless repetition. Two such units areprovided and together have a combined length at least twice the width ofthe web so that one box unit 68 will be over a loading truck 82, whenthe other 68 is over the pattern in one position of unit travel, whiletravel in the opposite direction reverses the relation of the units tothe web and brings unit 88 over a loading truck 83 when the unit 88 isover the pattern. This makes it possible to load two trucks at a, timeas the units alternately engage successive pattern areas momentarilystopping atstage D.

Both box units 88 and 89 are sealed to hold a vacuum and the bottom ofeach is provided with staggered perforations respectively communicatingwith rigid suction tubes 34 terminating respectively in flexible bellowstype suction head 95. The tubes 94 are laterally braced by a plate 88properly perforated to receive the respective tubes 84. Thus, the plate34 viewed from below appears as a multiplicity of suction nozzles 85,preferably spaced three quarters of an inch apart in staggered rows sothat when lowered into contact with the mix on the web every severedcomponent will be under one or more of the suction nozzles ready to belifted out on the upstroke of a box unit. Also, the volume of each boxunit is reduced to an operating minimum as indicated in dotted lines inF .12.

n order to pull a vacuum in the box unit 88, the top thereof is providedwith two outlets (Figs. 12 and 13) communicating respectively with twobranches 81 of a manifold 88 leading to and communicating with a,cylindrical valve chest I88 from which a suction pipe I8I leads to amotor driven exhaust fan chamber I82 by way of an offset pipe I83 andpivot joint I84. This latter I84 allows the pipe IN to follow themovement of the unit 88 as it rises, lowers, and swings laterally.

For controlling the passage of air through the valve chest I88, theopposite ends thereof are in the form of apertured heads I85 and I88,the apertures being in the form of radially arranged tapered ports I81and I88, the ports I81, when open communicating with the pipe I8I, whilethe ports I88 when open communicate with the atmosphere. The ports I 81and I88 are alternately opened and closed. and for that purpose a rockshaft H8 is carried axially of the chest and has two disc valves III andH2 mounted thereon, each externally of the chest head but in closesealing relation. The valve III is provided with radially disposed portsH3 of like size, spacing and configuration to the head ports I81, sothat in open positions both sets of ports I81 and H3 will be in registerfor passage of air, but in closed position the ports III will be out ofregister with the ports I81 so that air is cut off. Likewise, the discvalve H2 is provided with radially arranged ports I I4 of like size,spacing and configuration as the head ports I88, so that in openpositions both sets of ports I88 and H4 will be in register to exhaustair from the chest and system but in closed positions the ports will beout of register. Thus, the valve chest and its associated parts providefor two conditions, either subjecting the system to vacuum or relievingit to the atmosphere.

For actuating the rock shaft I I8, its projecting end has an arm II5keyed thereto and is biased to suction open position of the valve III bya compression spring I I8 which is compressedbetween the arm H5 and afixed lug II1 on the chest head. Thus, as the panel of suction nozzleslowers into contact with the linoleum mix all the severed componentsbecome automatically attached to the nozzles ready to be removed fromthe web and carried to a position over one or the other of the waitingtrucks. When in this position, which is for discharging the componentsfrom the nozzles, provision is made for causing the chest valve I II andH4 to reverse positions in order to exhaust the chest and system. Themeans for doing this comprises an arm I28 keyed to the end of the shaftII8, but extending diametrically opposite to the spring biased arm H5,and carrying a vertically adjustable tappet I2I which in the dischargingposition of the unit. 88 has a position above a fixed stop I22projecting from the side of the machine. The position of the stop I22 issuch that it will be met by the tappet I2I at exactly the time the unit88 has lowered to drop its carried components upon the platform of thewaiting truck.

While the foregoing specifically described the vacuum control for thebox unit-88, a duplicate thereof control for the box unit 88 isprovided, including outlet branches I23, .manifold I24, valve chest I25,suction pipe I28 leading to a motor driven exhaust fan chamber I21 byway of offset pipe I28 and pivot joint I38. Likewise, the valve chestI25 is like valve chest I88 and has the same valve control includingexhaust relief tappet, which in this instance engages a stop at theother discharge side of the machine to stack the components upon thesecond truck 83.

In order to move the two box units 88 and 88 transversely of the machineto assume the two required alternate positions, the meeting ends of thetwo units are interconnected by two spaced okes I3I .and a cross-headI32, the latter riding vertical in guide slots I29, respectivelyprovided in the yokes I3I. The cross-head I32 is suspended by anelongated skeleton frame I33 from a pivot bearing I34 supported at itsupper end between the side frames 11. The frame I33 is generally of openrectangular shape, the sides of which straddle a cam roller I 35,intermediate its length, which is rotatably carried by a spindle I33having its ends respectively supported by two rod yokes I31. Theopposite ends of these yokes are joined by a second spindle I38 carryinga cam roller I48 in horizontal alinement with the cam roller I35. A rockbar I4'I supports the spindle I33 from a pivot I42 0n the machine frameand maintains the yokes I31 in horizontal alinement. Motion istransmitted to the box unit carrying frame I33 b a cam I43 interposedbetween the two cam rollers I35 and I48, and keyed to shaft I38. Thiscam I43 has a contour which gives the required rest period for the boxunits 88 and 89 during the pick-up and discharging operations.

For receiving and stacking the removed coniponents as released by thenozzles 85, a truck 82, mounted on wheels I44, is rolled into place withits removable top plate I45 beneath and registered with the box unit 88to form a support for a transfer platform I45 upon which the removedcomponents are to be deposited. The top plate I45 is provided with aplurality of perforations I4'I,.having the configuration of the keypattern, in each of which there is an upstanding pin I48, which togetherform boundaries to support the respective components in stackedrelation. The plate '5 is seated upon a plurality of angle irons I49fixed to the truck body and is arranged to be removed with the transferplate I48, when the latter is filled with the stacks of components.Likewise, the transfer platform I48 is provided with the same number andarrangement of perforations I58 through which the pins project to formthe aforesaid ortline boundaries for the removed components, suchboundaries conforr..i.:g

9 to the particular key pattern. Thus, with the table I 45 in place withthe key pattern generally outlined by the pins I43 and the transferplat- -form m seated thereon with the pins projecting vertically, allspaces between the pins will be in position to receive the componentswhen released by the superposed suction nozzles 95.

In order that the platform I45 can be lowered step by step as each planeof components is released, it is mounted upon the top of two oppositelydisposed channel bars III vertically slidable respectively along theoutside of two sides of the truck body, such bars I beingseatedrespectively upon the upwardly turned ends I52 of two transverselyarranged lift beams I53, each of which projects through vertical slotsI54 in the truck sides to ride in guide angles I55 fixed to theaforesaid truck sides. Each lift beam I53 is carried by two spaced apartlinks I55 respectively forming a pivotal connection to the upper end oftwo double link toggles I51, the lower ends of each of which are pivotedat I55 to the truck base I50. The intermediate pivotal points ofthe'toggle respectively mount rollers I5I and I52.

For operating the two sets of toggles I51, a right-hand and left-handthreaded feed screw I53 is rotatably mounted between the two toggles inparallel relation thereto, and has two leader nuts, in the form offollower bars I54 and I55 each of a length to engage one roller of eachset of toggles. the outer face of the roller "I of each of the toggles,while the bar I55 will ride against the" outer face of the roller I52 ofeach of the toggles. thread of the feed screw I53, while the bar I55 isthreaded upon the left-hand threadof the feed screw I53. With thisarrangement, the turning of the screw I53 in one direction will feed thefollower bars I54 and I55 together to contract the toggle and elevatethe lift bars I53, and when turned in the other direction will separatethe bars I54 and I55 to allow the toggle to expand and thus lower thelift bars I53. Since at this stage in the cycle of operations the trucksare being loaded, the toggle will be in contracted position to locatethe transfer platform I45 relatively close to the plane of the nozzles95 when ready to discharge and the screw feeding mechanism is geared tolower the platform step by step by a step distance equal to thethickness of component material. As shown, this action is carried out bykeying a ratchet wheel I55 to the feed screw I53 in position to beengaged by a spring pressed pawl I51, pivotally carried by an arm' I65swingingly mounted on the unthreaded portion of the screw I53. The arm I55 carries a cam roller I10 biased by a ,coil spring I1I against The barI54 is threaded upon right-hand Thus, the bar I54 will ride against 1oto locate the empty platform I45 correctly component-receiving position.I

As a means for locking each truck in its proper location with respect tothe overhead box 1 units,v opposite frame uprights I15 are respec tivelyprovided with inwardly fixed tubular keepers I30 respectively alinedwith horizontally, movable bolts I3I which are operated by a rack.

and pinion I52 on the truck body by a shaft I 53 extending exterior ofthe truck body to be operated by a hand wheel.

1 The foregoing description, while specific to the truck 92, is equallyapplicable to the truck 33, since the construction of both is identical,and therefore to avoid needless repetition like parts in the two trucksare identified by like refer-' ence numerals. It should be noted,however, that the ratchet mechanism of the two trucks is operated from acommon source; thus, the two alined shafts I13 have their opposed endsprovided respectively with gears I54 meshin respectively with gears I ona commonshaft I35 which is driven through a reduction 'gear unit I31 inturn receiving power by way of a chain and sprocket drive I55 from themain drive shaft 55.

After leaving stage D, the-web,-with its key pattern and voids left bythe removed components, is fed to stage E where the action of thesuction box unitstakes places in reverse order, namely, patterncomponents complemental in shape to the voids are pickedup alternatelyfrom stacks located at opposite sides of the machine upon trucks likethose heretofore described. Thus, while a suction 'unit is depositingcomponents from a stack into the voids, the other suction unit ispicking up the top layer of sever al stacks from a truck platform andthe op- .eration continues alternately but in reverse to the suctionunits at stage D. It will be underanother pattern length will be below asuction the face of a cam I12 keyed to a driven shaft of the machine tomount a hand wheel I11 which,

with the pawl I51 released, can be turned to restore the lift bars I53to the required position unit at stage E, but the D suction unit will bepicking up components to be removed while the suction unit at stage Ewill be placing selected pattern components in the voids left by thecomponents removed at stage D. The entire suction assembly at stage Eand its operating mechanism are identical with that at stage D and canbe followed from the description'of and showing of Fig. 12 of thedrawings, but for a clear understanding, those parts of stage E whichare visible in Fig. 8-A and Fig. 11 and correspond to like parts instage D are identified as follows: the skeleton upright side frames l9I,side channel bars I92, suspended by lift rods I93, bell' trucks is thesame as described for stage D, but

with pick-up and discharge reversed as to the like actions at stage D.This action is made possible by mounting the box shifting units cam 20Ione hundred and eighty degrees out of phase with the cam I43 of stage D.The cam 20I is keyed to a shaft 202 extending horizontally towards andin the plane of the shaft I39 so that the free ends of each are spacedapart 11 both axially and laterally. A common means is provided foroperating the aforesaid two shafts, v

- 281 in front of the gear 255 in order to actuate the respective camsI43 and 2!". By this construction, two suction units, one at each stageD and E are over the web, the one at stage D will be removingcomponents, while *the one at stage E will be discharging components.Likewise the other two suction units, one at each stage D and E, will beover trucks respectively, the stage D unit discharging removedcomponents, and the stage E unit pickin up components for transfer tothe key pattern. In connection with the mounting and operation of thetwo shafts I88 and 282, it should be noted that the former is journalledin a bearing 288 and mounts a counterweight 2l8, while the latter isJournalled in a bearing 2 and mounts a mounterweight 2l2. Thesecounterweights 2H) and 2 plus the balanced relation of the two cams I43and 281 promote smooth operation without sudden shocks normally incidentto reverse motions.

Continuous motion is transmitted to the reduction gear 283 'by a bevelgear drive from a vertically disposed shaft 213 driven through areduction gear unit 2 actuated by a chain and sprocket drive 2l5 fromthe main-shaft 88. This shaft 88 extends medially throughout the lengthof the machine and supplies power to other parts as will be described,Furthermore, the drive of the shaft 133 is transferred by a chain andsprocket drive M1 to a transverse shaft 218 to bevel gears 228 and 22]to actuate the cam shafts 18 and I18 upon which the respective rows ofcams 86 and I85 are mounted. Motion is transmitted to the cam shaft 18from the shaft 19 by a sprocket and chain drive 90. The outer row ofcams I95 at stage E is carried by shaft I95 driven by sprocket and chainI86 from the shaft I18.

For reinforcing the upright frames for the respective mechanisms ofstages D and E, cross trusses 222 and 223 are provided.

When the web leaves stage E, the key pattern has been filled in with themechanically placed component and the final inlay pattern has beencompleted. It now remains for these placed components to be pressed intothe linoleum mix and this takes place at stage F, where thecompleted'web pattern is brought under. a heated platen press 224reciprocated in proper timed relation with the step-by-step travel ofthe web. This pattern press 224 is generally like the press of stage Band may be operated by a like cam reciprocating means receiving motionfrom the main shaft 58.

For imparting the desired step-by-step motion to the conveyors 12, eachis in the form of an endless steel band extending along one side of themachine and travelling around idle roller 225 at one end of the machineand around a driven wheel 226 at the other end of the machine. Theperiphery of each wheel 226 is provided with suitably spaced notches 221with which lugs 228, fixed to the underside of each conveyor band, arearranged to mesh and thereby propel the band as the wheel turns in asuccession of angular steps. As shown, the lugs 228 are so linearlyspaced equally apart that each angular turning of the wheels 228advances the conveyors a distance of eighteen linear inches. The wheels228 are keyed to a shaft 288 suitably journalled transversely of themain frame of the machine and are arranged to be turned step by step bya ratchet wheel 232 located between the wheels 228 and keyed to theshaft 288 and for actuation by a spring pressed 'pawl 238. This pawl 283is carried by an arm 234 mounted on the shaft 288 as a pivot, oneportion of said arm being in the form of a rack gear 235 in mesh with anarcuate rack 238 on the outer face of a rock arm 231 pivoted on aspindle 238 supported from the machine frame. Journalled on one side ofthe rock arm 281 is a cam roller 248 riding upon the face of a cam 24!journalled on a counter shaft 242 and driven through a suitablereduction gearing from the main shaft 88.

In order to lock the step-by-step wheels 228 in each rest position, ahub 239 is keyed to the shaft 230 and carries a plurality of radiallyarranged keepers 243 respectively having V- shaped slots 244 forsuccessive engagement by a bolt 245 having a V-shaped end to enter aslot 244. The position of the bolt 245 and the spacing of the keepers243 is such that in each rest position of the conveyors the bolt 245 canenter one of the keepers 243 to prevent movement of the wheels 228 whilestage operations are taking place. The bolt 245 is carried by its rockarm 246 which is pivoted on the spindle 238 and receives its locking andunlocking motion by means of a driven cam 241, which rides under a camroller 248 journalled to the side of the rock arm 246. The cam 241 iskeyed to the same shaft 242 as the cam 2H, and both cams are operated bythe rotation of the shaft 242 which is driven through suitable reductiongears 258 and 251 from the main shaft 68.

The main shaft 68 runs substantially medially throughout the length ofthe machine and is arranged to be driven continuously by a motor 252 andpulley belt drive 253 located at a convenient location.

It will now be apparent that a complete unitary machine for makinginlaid linoleum has been devised whereby the production of such linoleumhas been materially increased; the cost of manufacture reduced; the timeof changing from one pattern to another being revolutionarily shortened;and the number of operatives required being reduced to a minimum unknownin prior linoleum-making machines. In such prior machines the changingof patterns requires days to accomplish during which all production onthe machine ceases, while in the machine of the present invention suchchange of pattern can be made in a matter of minutes because it requiresonly the substitution of one key pattern die -for another. Furthermore,when such a change is contemplated, carrying trucks can be prepared withthe new pattern components while the machine is still running off thelast of the pattern to be discarded. Also, in prior machines the maximumrate of production is eight feet per minute, while by the machine ofthis invention the rate of production can be stepped up to thirty feetper minute.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a machine for making inlaid linoleum, the combination of a backingweb, means for applying an adhesive to said web in the form of apredetermined key pattern, means to superpose a linoleum mix on said weband key pattern,

, 13 means for severing said mix along lines bounding said key'pattemwhile pressing said mix to adhere to said key pattern, and means toremove the severed portions of said mix from said backing.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein means are provided toreplace said removed portions with selected linoleum components to forma predetermined inlay pattern.

3. In a machine for making inlaid linoleum, the combination of a backingweb provided with a linoleum mix face. thereon, means for cutting saidlinoleum mix in a predetermined key pattern of selected width,'and meansfor removing the mix portions bounded by said key pattern.

4. A machine in accordance with claim 3 wherein means are provided toreplace said removed portions with selected linoleum components to forma predetermined inlay pattern.

5. In a machine for making inlaid linoleum, the combination of a backingweb, a sheet of linoleum mix loosely seated upon said web, meansplatform supported beside the machine having a plurality of upstandingpins arranged to form receivingspaces complemental to the contour of therespective said areas, and means for removing the said areas outlined bysaid key pattern and discharging said areas respectively into thecorresponding spaces defined by said pins.

.7. A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein means are provided forlowering said platform step by step as successive areas are added toform a stack confined by said pins.

8. In a machine for making inlaid linoleum,

the combination of means for feeding step by step a backingweb having alinoleum mix on the face thereof, means operative in a rest position ofsaid web for severing predetermined areas of said mix to separate areasof a key pattern from the remaining areas, means operative in a secondrest position of said web for removing said remaining areas, and meansoperative during another rest position of said web for stacking saidremoved areas at one side of the machine.

9. In a machine for making inlaid linoleum, the combination of means forfeeding step by step a backing web having a linoleum mix on the facethereof, means operative in a rest position of said web for severingpredetermined areas of said mix to separate areas of a key pattern fromthe remaining areas, means operative in a second rest position of saidweb for removing said remaining areas, means operative during anotherrest position of said web for stacking said removed areas at one side ofthe machine, a stack of pattern components supported adjacent the nextsuccessive rest position of said web, said components being respectivelyof the same size and contour as the said removed areas, and means forinserting said components in the corresponding spaces respectively leftin the mix by the removed areas.

10. In a machine for making inlaid linoleum,

the combination of a backing web, means for feeding said web step bystep, a platen having a cameo face in the form of a selected keypattern, means for coating said cameo key pattern with an adhesive,means for pressing said cameo coated face on said web during a restposition of said web to transfer said key pattern adhesive to said web,means to superpose a linoleum mix to cover bothsaid key pattern andareas bounded by said pattern, a pressing head having cutting bladesarranged to register with said key pattern, means operative in anotherrest position of said web for causing said head to press said mixagainst key pattern adhesive and to sever said mix into areas bounded bysaid key pattern, and means to remove said' areas to leave spacesoutlined by said key pattern.

11. A machine in accordance with claim 10, wherein means are providedfor automatically placing components respectively of like size and shapeto said removed areas in said spaces respectively to form apredetermined inlay pattern.

12. In a machine for making inlaid linoleum, the combination of abacking web, means for feeding said web step by step, a platen having acameo face in the form of a selected key pattern, means for coating saidcameo key pattern with an adhesive, means for pressing said cameo coatedface on said web during a rest position of said web to transfer said keypattern adhesive to said web, means to superpose a linoleum mix to coverboth said key pattern and areas bounded by said pattern. a pressing headhaving cutting blades arranged to register with said key pattern, meansoperative in another rest position of said web for causing said head topress said mix against key pattern adhesive and to sever said mix intoareas bounded by said key pattern, and means including a plurality ofsuction heads for removing the respective areas to leave spaces outlinedby said key pattern. j

13. A machine for making inlaid linoleum coniprising the combination ofa conveyor for feeding" a continuous web of linoleum material, means forimparting a step-by-step motion to said conveyor, a unit for cutting apattern of predeter- -mined outline in said web while maintaining theintegrity and continuity of the web, and means for operating said unitduring a 'rest interval of said conveyor.

14. A machine for making inlaid linoleum comprising the combination of aconveyor for feeding a web of linoleum material, means for imparting astep-by-step motionto said conveyor, a unit for cutting a pattern ofpredetermined outline in said web to define certain areas for removal,means for operating said unit, a pick-up mechanism for removing saiddefined areas, and means for operating said mechanism during arestinterval of said conveyor.

15. A machine for making inlaid linoleum comprising the combination of aconveyor for feeding a web of linoleum material, means for imparting astep-by-step motion to said conveyor, a unit for cutting a pattern ofpredetermined outline in said web to define certain areas for removal,means for operating said unit during a rest interval of said conveyor, apick-up mechanism for removing said defined areas, and means foroperating said mechanism during another rest period of said conveyor.

16. A machine for making inlaid linoleum comprising the combination of aconveyor for feeding a web of linoleum material, means for imparting astep-by-step motion to said conveyor, a unit for asamss cutting apattern of predetermined outline in said web to define certain areas forremoval, a pick-up mechanism for removing said defined areas to leavevoids outlined by said pattern, a device for filling said voidsrespectively with linoleum components of like configuration, and meansfor operating said unit, said mechanism, and said device respectivelyduring rest intervals of said conveyor.

17. A mechanism for making inlaid linoleum comprising the combination ofa conveyor for feeding a web of linoleum material, said web having a keypattern cut therein to outline areas for removal, a pick-up mechanismfor removing said areas and transferring said areas to a platform, andmeans for operating said pick-up mechanism during a rest interval ofsaid conveyor.

18. A mechanism for making inlaid linoleum comprising the combination ofa conveyor for feeding a web of linoleum material, said web having voidstherein outlined by a key pattern, a replacing mechanism fortransferring linoleum components complemental to said voids from aplatform to respectively 1111 said voids, and means for operating saidreplacing mechanism during a rest interval of said conveyor.

19. A mechanism for makin inlaid linoleum comprising the combination ofa conveyor for feeding a web of linoleum material, said web having a keypattern cut therein to outline areas for removal, a pick-up mechanismfor removing said areas and transferring said areas to a platform, areplacing mechanism fortransferring linoleum components complemental tosaid areas from a platform to respectively replace said removed areas,and means for successively operating said pick-up and replacingmechanisms during rest periods of said conveyor.

20. In a machine for making inlaid linoleum, the combination of abacking web provided with a linoleum mix face thereon, means for settingsaid mix in a predetermined key pattern to bound areas to be removed andreplaced, a platform supported beside the machine having a plurality ofpins arranged to form receiving spaces for replacement elementscomplemental to the contour of the respective said areas, said pinsdisposed in conformance to the key pattern beside the receiving spaceswhereby stacks of replacement elements in said receiving spaces are heldinvertical alignment with maintenance of their respective planardispositions without undesirable lateral compression by contact withsaid pins.

21. A method of forming inlaid linoleum which comprises associating asheet of linoleum mix with a backing web, cutting selected portions fromsaid sheet, while maintaining the unsevered integrity of the backing weband the continuous integrity of the said sheet, removing said portionsto leave a key pattern of linoleum on said web, and replacing theremoved portions with linoleum elements registering with the key patternon said web.

22. A method of forming inlaid linoleum, which comprises a plying acontinuouslayer of linoleum mix to a traveling continuous web of backingmaterial, causing parts of the layer to adhere to the material inaccordance with a key pattern, severing the layer along lines boundingthe key pattern, removing the severed portions of the layer from thebacking layer while maintaining the continuous integrity of the layerand backing material, and replacing the removed portions by selectedlinoleum components registering with the key pattern so as to form ahomogeneous inlaid surface.

I THOMAS PESCI.

REFERENCES CITED The following referencesare of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,014,397 Jones Jan. 9, 19122,287,573 Schneider June 23, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date510,565 Great Britain Aug. 3, 1939

